Green Archers Beats Kaya In Five-Goal Thriller, Loyola Bounces Back

A Jesse Martindale rocket gave Green Archers United Globe all three points against Kaya on Tuesday night at the Emperador Stadium in Taguig City. Five goals were scored in the exciting thriller which scuppered Kaya’s hopes to remain within touching distance of title contenders Global and Loyola Meralco Sparks. The league leaders were in action earlier in the day, brushing aside Pasargad to bounce back from their first defeat in the 2013-14 season,

Floriano “Tating” Pasilan scored the first of the night seven minutes before half-time, beating the on rushing Nick O’Donnel to a clever ball in behind the Kaya defense. The goal came with a price, though, as the forward and the goalkeeper collided on the play, with Pasilan unable to continue after. Green Archers has had trouble holding on to leads this season, and it proved the case again in the second half.

Ten minutes after the restart, substitute Janrick Soriano leveled the score, tapping in after United’s backline succumbed to some high pressure. An under hit back pass from new signing Dae Eun Kweon presented an opportunity for Daniels and Soriano to combine for the goal. Five minutes later the Archers were back in front courtesy of a magnificent free-kick from right-back Reynald Villareal. From around 25 meters, he fired an effort that bent around the wall and dipped just in time to sneak in between the crossbar and O’Donnel in goal.

Anton Del Rosario responded with a header from a free-kick shortly after to restore parity in the game. The match was all set up for a hero, and Australian Jesse Martindale stepped up to the occasion. Given space several meters outside the Kaya box, the midfielder unleashed a superb left-footed strike which went straight into the left corner – a goal worthy of deciding such a thrilling contest.

“I think this is one of the best games we’ve had. We deserved to win this game,” said Archers coach Rodolfo Alicante. “Eto yung break namin after four consecutive losses (Archers actually lost last three and drew one). Everybody’s happy.”

The Green Archers improve to ten points after 11 matches, remaining in seventh in the 1st Division standings, but four points above the play-off relegation spot, which Team Socceroo currently inhabits.

Kaya, with the defeat, have fallen nine points behind leaders Loyola, and five points behind second placed Global – a team they beat right before the international break. Since then, they’ve had to settle for a draw against Stallion, and a defeat to Green Archers.

“Last couple of games we haven’t performed, we’ve struggled. I’m prepared to take the foot of the blame because the players tried their best and they did extremely well to try and get back into the game in the second half,” said Kaya coach David Perkovic. “I think it’s a bit premature to talk about title races. There’s a lot of football to be played. We have a lot of ground to make up, but if we just look at the gap we’ll never make it up.

This post-match is from the official website of the United Football League (UFL). You may read the full and original post-match report from the UFL here.

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